Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cllr. Deweh E. Gray along with Madam Christine Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia in a group photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and UN Women Liberia, on Friday, October 31, 2025, hosted a high-level Gender Roundtable to commemorate 25 years of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The event took place in the C. Cecil Dennis Jr. Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.
Welcoming dignitaries and participants, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cllr. Deweh E. Gray, underscored Liberia’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s leadership and participation in governance and peacebuilding processes. She highlighted the country’s historic achievement and noted that Liberia continues to champion gender-responsive policies and international frameworks that promote equality. “Liberia’s journey toward gender equality is a testament to resilience, partnership, and political will,” Cllr. Gray said.
“As we mark 25 years of UNSCR 1325, we reaffirm our pledge to ensure that women’s voices remain central in peacebuilding, diplomacy, and national development. This roundtable offers an opportunity to assess where we are and renew our collective commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable peace.” As Liberia prepares to assume its seat on the United Nations Security Council, the country has outlined five key priorities for its tenure, with Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) standing at the forefront of its agenda.
In her remarks, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace Kollie, emphasized that UNSCR 1325 has been instrumental in shaping national efforts to advance women’s participation in peace and security processes. She acknowledged the progress made through Liberia’s National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security, which have strengthened women’s engagement in decision-making and peacekeeping roles. Also delivering remarks, Madam Christine Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, praised Liberia for its exemplary leadership in women’s empowerment and peacebuilding.
She noted that Liberia’s experience demonstrates how inclusive governance and women’s participation can sustain peace and development after conflict. “As the UN marks 80 years of existence, we celebrate the progress achieved through partnerships like this,” Madam Umutoni said. “UNSCR 1325 remains one of the most transformative resolutions in advancing women’s rights in peace and security. Together, we must continue to ensure that the principles of equality and inclusion guide our collective actions in the years ahead.”
Delivering the closing remarks, Madam Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative in Liberia, commended the Government of Liberia for its consistent partnership in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. She reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s efforts in implementing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and ensuring that women continue to play meaningful roles in all spheres of national life.
The dialogue brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society organizations, women’s rights advocates, and development partners to reflect on progress made and challenges encountered in advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Liberia and globally.
